The NCBTMB Code of Ethics This NCBTMB board certification credentials are available for the massage therapy and bodywork profession. It requires achievement beyond entry-level licensure, including completing more education, hands-on experience, and a background check (NCBTMB, 2017a). Board Certification through the NCBTMB seeks to align the massage therapy and bodywork profession with other allied health and medical professions, enhancing the value and credibility of these professions. Many health care facilities and spas now require board certification to apply for positions (NCBTMB, 2017a). National board certification, unlike state requirements that vary, is based on a uniform set of standards and code of ethics. Certificants throughout the profession represent and benefit from a consistent level of quality evidenced by their national board certification. The NCBTMB Code of Ethics was last updated in 2017, and reflects principles and standards as listed below (NCBTMB, 2017a). NCBTMB Certificants shall act in a manner that justifies public trust and confidence, enhances the reputation of the profession, and safeguards the interest of individual clients. Certificants will: I.
VIII. Refuse to unjustly discriminate against clients and/or health professionals; IX. Safeguard the confidentiality of the client’s identity
and information in all conversations, advertisements, and any and all other matters, unless disclosure of identifiable information is requested by the client in writing, is medically necessary, or is required by law; Respect the client’s right to treatment with informed and voluntary consent. The certified practitioner will obtain and record the informed consent of the client, or client’s advocate, before providing treatment. This consent may be written or verbal;
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XI. Respect the client’s right to refuse, modify or terminate treatment regardless of prior consent given; XII. Provide draping and treatment in a way that ensures the safety, comfort and privacy of the client; XIII. Exercise the right to refuse to treat any person or part of the body for just and reasonable cause; XIV. Refrain, under all circumstances, from participating in a sexual relationship or sexual conduct with the client, whether consensual or otherwise, from the beginning of the client/therapist relationship and for a minimum of six (6) months after the termination of the client therapist relationship, unless an ongoing current sexual relationship existed prior to the date the therapeutic relationship began; XV. Avoid any interest, activity or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interests of the client or the profession; XVI. Respect the client’s boundaries with regard to privacy, disclosure, exposure, emotional expression, beliefs, and the client’s reasonable expectations of professional behavior. Practitioners will respect the client’s autonomy; XVII. Refuse any gifts or benefits that are intended to influence a referral, decision or treatment, or that are purely for personal gain and not for the good of the client; and XVIII. Follow the NCBTMB Standards of Practice, this Code of Ethics, and all policies, procedures, guidelines, regulations, codes, and requirements promulgated by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Inc.
Have a sincere commitment to provide the highest quality of care to those who seek their professional services; Represent their qualifications honestly, including education and professional affiliations, and provide only those services that they are qualified to perform; Accurately inform clients, other health care practitioners, and the public of the scope and limitations of their discipline; Acknowledge the limitations of and contraindications for massage and bodywork, and refer clients to appropriate health professionals; Provide treatment only where there is reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the client;
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VI. Consistently maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence, striving for professional excellence through regular assessment of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses and through continued education training; VII. Conduct their business and professional activities with honesty and integrity, and respect the inherent worth of all persons; Ethics codes cannot possibly cover every situation that may arise during practice. Standards of practice, sometimes referred to as rules or standards of conduct, offer more specific guidelines for everyday practice that reflect the ethical principles outlined in the code. All major professional organizations develop and promote standards of practice for ethical conduct. Standards of Practice for AMTA The AMTA provides the following information on standards of practice that complements its code of ethics (AMTA, 2021d). These standards of practice were developed to assist the professional massage therapist to (AMTA, 2021d): • Provide safe, consistent care. • Determine the quality of care provided. • Provide a common base to develop a practice. • Support/preserve the basic rights of the client and professional massage therapist. • Assist the public in understanding what to expect from a professional massage therapist.
STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Standards of practice establish the expectations of professional conduct in regard to the law, confidentiality, business practices, roles and boundaries, and prevention of misconduct. Standards of practice and codes of ethics for massage therapists cover three areas of conduct: • Conduct in relation to performing a massage. • Conduct in business dealings. • Conduct when interacting with clients in both a professional setting as well as in the public. The document allows the professional massage therapist to evaluate and adapt performance in his or her massage/ bodywork practice. The professional massage therapist can evaluate the quality of his/her practice by utilizing these Standards of Practice in conjunction with the AMTA Code of Ethics and Bylaws and Policies, as well as precedents set by the AMTA Grievance, Standards and Bylaws Committees (AMTA, 2021d). Below is a summary, but complete details can be found on the AMTA website: 1. Conduct of the professional massage therapist or practitioner, hereinafter referred to as “Practitioner.”
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